Sex workers: Cops must buy into government rights initiative
The Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce says a government initiative aimed at protecting the rights of sex workers will need buy in from police.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the National Sex Work Sector Plan in Johannesburg at the weekend.
The initiative includes an HIV-plan. Speaking at the launch, Ramaphosa said sex workers can't be denied their right to dignity and humanity.
Ramaphosa says he's particularly worried by reports that some police officers have been confiscating government issued condoms from sex workers.
SWEAT's Sally Jean Shackleton says police shouldn't search for condoms from sex workers.
"We need to make sure that what happens is the police issue a directive to its members to say that they may not search for condoms. In fact it's very common, I believe, for police officers to say that sex workers have to have sex with them in exchange for release and also a bribe," she said.
Studies have shown there's a high HIV prevalence among sex workers particularly in South Africa's major cities and along national routes linking the cities.
(File photo)